Nothing Phone 3 Review: Minimalist Android, Maximalist Pricing — & That's The Problem
Nothing Phone 3 could appeal to design rebels who want clean Android, but it isn't for those chasing a true flagship champ.
Nothing Phone 3 Review: You know that feeling when a brand that once redefined "cool" suddenly starts resembling the thing it once stood against? That’s the paradox of the Nothing Phone 3. It looks futuristic, it talks a big design game, and it absolutely flies through benchmarks. But for a phone that costs Rs 79,999 (and tops out at Rs 89,999 for the 16GB RAM variant), you expect more than just sleek minimalism and a cat-approved light show.
Here’s the thing: Carl Pei is trying to build an iPhone alternative, not just another Android flagship. And I do appreciate it, especially in a market infested with iPhone lookalikes (however, having said that, Nothing Phone 3's side panel does look like an iPhone 16 ripoff). But in chasing that dream, he’s created a phone that’s a bit too caught up in its own aesthetic, and forgets to truly 'wow' where it counts.
Nothing Phone 3 Review: Quick Pointers
What I Love:
- Minimalist, clean Android skin — easily the best custom OS out there
- Vibrant AMOLED panel with eye-searing brightness
- Impressive gaming performance and snappy UI
- Genuinely good low-light photography (at 1x)
What I Don’t:
- Rear design feels more try-hard than thoughtful
- Glyph gimmicks get old fast
- Zoom photography is weak for the price
- Heats up too easily in warm conditions
- Illogical pricing — rivals offer better features at lower prices
Design: Touted To Be A Show Car, But Drives Like A Familiar Sedan
Let’s start with the good stuff. That AMOLED panel is gorgeous. At 6.67 inches with peak brightness hitting 4500 nits (HDR), it’s a joy to use indoors or outdoors. The bezels are ultra-slim, and the 120Hz adaptive refresh is buttery smooth. Pair that with Nothing OS 3.5, hands down one of the cleanest Android skins out there, and you’ve got an interface that feels as elegant as it looks.
The minimalist UI? A breath of fresh air. No bloatware. No duplicate apps. It’s Android, distilled. And for the productivity purists, Nothing’s 'Essential Space' with its Flip-to-Record feature and universal search adds real value, not just buzzword AI. The dedicated AI button on the side also stands out, feels great under your thumb, and delivers genuine AI support as and when you need it.
But then there’s the rear, that controversial redesign of the Glyph Interface. Yes, there are 489 LEDs and funky games like Rock Paper Scissors as well as a novel camera mode called Glyph Mirror that acts as a quick preview for portraits.
It’s whimsical, sure. But unless you really love blinking lights — or have a cat who’s mesmerised by them — the novelty wears off. Fast.
I imagined I would be using the Glyph for my notifications and other quick tasks on the Nothing Phone 3, much like I overused the Glyph lights on the Nothing Phone 2. However, after a couple of days, I found myself ignoring those Glyph Toys more and more as they don't offer much use beyond novelty features.
See, don't get me wrong. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. So, while some might call the Nothing Phone 3 ugly, I'd say it's certainly ballsy enough to be different. However, if you remember Nothing Phone 2's incredible personality and those long, sleek Glyph LEDs lining up the rear, I have to admit that Nothing Phone 3's Glyph sphere is a bit too little, too lazy.
If you're not progressing with each iteration of your phone, perhaps you're just going backwards. Apple has been facing flak over its rear design formulae (or the lack of them). I didn't expect Nothing to go down the same rabbit hole as well.
Cameras: Good At 1x, Meh Beyond
The 50MP main sensor shines in well-lit and nighttime 1x shots. Sharp, clean, and genuinely impressive in low light.
But once you go beyond 1x? It’s a sharp dip. The periscope zoom claims 6x “lossless” and up to 60x with AI magic, but results are noisy and fall flat, especially when compared to the Pixel 8 Pro or older Galaxy S24 Ultra, which are way cheaper. Even Vivo’s V40 Pro, priced lower, pulls ahead in telephoto clarity.
For casual shooting? No complaints. For enthusiasts or creators? It’s not quite ready for prime time. Especially not at this price.
Performance: Quick Off The Line, But Watch That Temp Gauge
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Adreno 825 GPU mean performance is no issue. It handles high-fps gaming like a champ: BGMI, CODM, and Wild Rift all hit 120fps without stutters. And the 2160Hz PWM dimming means eye strain is minimal even during those long, late-night raids.
But (isn't there always a but?), the phone gets hot. Especially outdoors. Summer sun + gaming = spicy glass sandwich. Not unmanageable, but enough to make you put it down between sessions.
Battery life? Solid. The 5,500mAh unit easily lasts a day and a half, and the 65W fast charging tops it up in under an hour. Wireless and reverse charging included, as any true flagship should.
The box doesn't come with a speed charging adapter, but it does come with a clear rear cover and Nothing's signature see-through SIM ejector tool and USB-C charger.
Nothing Phone 3 Review: Final Verdict
Look, I want to root for Carl Pei. He’s making bold moves in a space full of safe bets and iPhone clones. And yes, the Nothing Phone 3 feels different. It wants to be the indie darling that brings soul back to smartphones.
But at Rs 79,999, or Rs 89,999 if you want 16 gigs of RAM, soul isn’t enough. You need killer cameras, reliable thermals, and a design that moves the game forward, not sideways.
Would I recommend the Nothing Phone 3? If you’re a design nerd who wants the cleanest Android experience and a phone that turns heads, maybe.
If you want flagship performance and flagship value, you’re better off with a Pixel, a Samsung Galaxy S-series device, or even the much cheaper iQOO 12 Pro, if gaming’s your priority.
Nothing Phone 3 is like a concept car that made it to production: sleek, ambitious, and undeniably cool. But for this price, cool alone doesn’t cut it.
Want something that looks different? This delivers. Want something that justifies an Rs 89,999 price tag? Keep looking.
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